January 2001

Release Date: January 4, 2001

Gift to Benefit Up & Coming Scholars at ASU

Mrs. Eva Camuñez Tucker has given $250,000 to support the Up and Coming Scholars Program at Angelo State University.

The Up and Coming Scholars Program is a joint effort by Angelo State University and the San Angelo Independent School District (SAISD) to identify promising junior high students from low-income families and to offer them an opportunity to attend ASU. Besides general support of the Up and Coming Scholars Program, the latest gift may be used to help establish scholarships for students enrolled in other schools in Tom Green County in addition to those in the SAISD.

The program was initiated in 1993-94. Scholarships are funded through ASU's Robert G. and Nona K. Carr Scholarship Foundation which covers tuition and fees for the Up and Coming Scholars who enroll at ASU.

Previously in 1995, Mrs. Tucker provided ASU with a $150,000 endowment to help cover the costs of the special summer programs for Up and Coming Scholars.

ASU President James Hindman said, "As a former school teacher, Mrs. Tucker has touched the lives and the futures of many young people. Her generosity to the Up and Coming Scholars Program will ensure that she touches the future of Tom Green County youth for years to come."

For the past seven years, 60 participants have been selected annually from San Angelo's four junior high schools for the program. Twelve are selected from each junior high as well as 12 at-large participants. Additionally, 12 alternates are chosen to take the places of those who may withdraw for various reasons. The main considerations are that students be in the top third of their class and come from SAISD families in the bottom economic quartile as defined by federal guidelines. Once in the program, students must maintain their grades and behavior standards as established by the program.

To help them stay on track toward college, ASU and SAISD officials provide a range of services that can include mentoring, counseling and academic assistance to help ensure that the program's participants acquire a high school diploma and are prepared for the academic rigors of college.

The same criteria will apply when the program is enlarged to include other schools in Tom Green County.